A novel semantic theory of the assembly rules of interaction networks

doi:10.32942/x20q0v

A novel semantic theory of the assembly rules of interaction networks

2025 · doi:10.32942/x20q0v

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The preprint is a Perspective that reviews the history of topological studies of species interaction networks (e.g., nestedness and modularity) and argues for moving beyond a “black-and-white” paradigm. It proposes the Integrative Theory of Interaction Networks (ITIN), claiming that network assembly follows sequential, rule-bound processes shaped mainly by resource dissimilarity and interaction type, and that “compound topologies” are likely common in well-sampled networks. The paper positions ITIN as deductive and predictive, but it is not peer reviewed, limiting how conclusively its framework can be evaluated. The paper does not explicitly discuss endometriosis or adenomyosis; it was included in the corpus via a keyword match in the upstream search index.

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This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint. You must log in to post a comment. There are no comments or no comments have been made public for this article. This is a Preprint and has not been peer reviewed. This is version 1 of this Preprint. Add a Comment You must log in to post a comment. Comments There are no comments or no comments have been made public for this article. In the web of life, every interaction between species tells a story of cooperation, conflict, or chance. For centuries, ecologists have charted these stories to better understand phenomena such as pollination and disease. We have been using the lens of network science to distill them into topological patterns such as nestedness or modularity. Yet, like in the old buddhist parable of the blind monks and the elephant, these separate views have often missed the bigger picture. In this Perspective, we review the history of topological studies of interaction networks, challenge the “black-and-white” paradigm, and point out a way forward: the Integrative Theory of Interaction Networks (ITIN). This theory unveils the logic of how interaction networks assemble through sequential, rule-bound processes shaped mainly by resource dissimilarity and interaction type. We show that compound topologies are likely the norm in function-oriented, taxonomically-inclusive, well-sampled networks. ITIN is deductive, predictive, and testable, mapping from first principles to real-world systems, thus helping us grasp “the whole elephant”. As ecologists confront the polycrisis, from irreparable biodiversity loss to global health threats, ITIN offers a coherent framework to understand, predict, and restore the threads of the web of life. https://doi.org/10.32942/X20Q0V Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Species Interactions, ecological networks, ecological synthesis, theoretical ecology, network science, mutualisms, antagonisms Published: 2025-11-26 01:12 Last Updated: 2025-11-26 01:12 Conflict of interest statement: None Data and Code Availability Statement: Data and code available on GitHub. Language: English

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